YOU can’t keep a good manager down, and whether there are protests before a game or not – David Moyes is the perfect man to prevent it affecting his Everton FC players.

You could see against Aston Villa that Moyes had his players fired-up and ready to atone for a couple of poor displays in the league prior to Saturday.

They did that in style, and responding equally to the fantastic backing of the entire home support which produced the type of atmosphere which normally produces three points and a memorable win for the Toffees.

That it didn’t, was unfortunate but there are still positives to take from the Villa encounter ahead of this weekend.

The players played for each other, and gave their all for the club – from Tim Cahill to Tony Hibbert – there was a squad that wanted to lift things with hard work and commitment.

Mikel Arteta’s sale was temporarily forgotten, and I’m sure the players have already moved on.

Everton have lost great men in the past – even Alan Ball was sold – teams change, players deal with it.

We were unlucky not to get a penalty for Barry Bannan’s foul on Leighton Baines. It’s frustrating and I think there’s a serious problem with how many are being missed.

I felt for Kenny Dalglish as well, because Liverpool seemed to be denied a decent claim and then have one given against them which I didn’t feel was a penalty.

It goes back to the use of technology, and whether football should follow cricket, rugby and tennis and adopt an appeal process when play is suspended for a moment while a fourth official checks the TV replay and makes a decision independent of the ref.